Chapter 99

Chapter 99
Isabella POV

It's Christmas. I go to the shelter with Jack, Christian, and Ruby. Gabriel and I keep in contact. He with a brief message, me with a long message narrated my day. Later when I asked him when he would come back so I could pick him up at the airport, Gabriel replied 'Sorry, I can't go back to the US right now.'
I forced Jack to come inside the shelter; he told me the kids would cry when they saw him, even the baby. But I don't believe it. So I drag him in and be true to his words. The kids cry once Jack comes in.
Luckily, I have 2 superstars in tow. The kids love them. So, all is good. We play hide and seek with the kids. The kids are so happy. I hope Gabriel can witness their merry faces. I take some pictures and send them to him.
Madeline: I'm in the kids's shelter today. The kids are so happy. I hope you can see their merry faces here. Merry Christmas, Gabriel. I love you...
Every time I send a message to him, I want to cry. A hand wraps around my shoulders. I turn around. It's Ruby.
"He still replied to you with anaemic messages?"
My tears leak down, and I wipe it abruptly. Ruby takes me to sit on the bench. "Give him some time, okay? For another man, I would say leave him. But it's Gabriel. we all know how much he loves you Izzy, and from what Christian told me... I can't even blame him for his attitude," she sighs.
"I know Ruby. I just regret it. I thought he would agree with me. He always did," I say weakly.
"You didn't see this one coming, right? It's okay, Izzy. I'm sure Gabriel just needs some time. He'll be back to you." She still caresses me. "Stay with me for the night? We can do anything you want. We can drink until we are drunk... um… No, the right words are... I'm drunk, you're fine." She chuckles.
I chuckled , "You're always the lightweight in the group."
"Yeah, I wish I were you. Drink alcohol like a fish."
I smile at her. "Thanks, Ruby" I hugged her and I let my tears flow. It feels so good to have someone hug you when you're down.

I slept at Ruby's place. Despite her words to drink until she was drunk, we ended up being on Netflix and eating popcorn. Somehow, the smell of the alcohol makes me want to vomit.
Ruby asked me to sleep in her room, but I refused. I know she's been sleeping with Christian in that bed for some time. So I chose my old room, the guest room.
I check my watch. It's 9 am. Ahh, that's why I'm so hungry right now. I need food!
I walk outside the room. Ruby is there with Christian. Christian is still in his sweatpants and shirt. His hair is dishevelled like he just woken up. "Morning, C. So early! You missed her that much?" I tease him. But he looks grim. "Are... are you okay?"
Ruby comes to me and pulls me to sit. Something's wrong. Gabriel!!
"What happened to Gabriel?" I ask them. They glance at each other. Ruby gives me her phone. My heart thumps wildly. Whatever it is, I'm sure I wouldn't like it. I brace myself before looking at the screen.
It's Gabriel with 3 men in suits. His Chinese partners are in front of the club. They walked together. It's just like that. But the title is 'Billionaire Gabriel Remington spotted in a strip club in China on Christmas.'
"Breathe, Izzy," Christian says, but his voice seems so far away. And I can taste acid in my mouth. I put the phone on the sofa hastily and ran to the toilet. I vomit.
"Isabella!" Ruby comes in and helps me.
I retch and gag. My stomach is so empty right now and hurts. I don't know which one is hurting. My stomach or my heart. Or both...
Ruby holds my hair and gives me a napkin.
"I need privacy, Ruby," I say without looking at her. She nods and walks out of the toilet. She lets the toilet's door open a bit.
I splash my face and use the mouthwash. I stare at myself in the mirror, red eyes, red nose, grey lips. Perfect, Isabella!
When I walk out, I find 2 pairs of eyes watching me with worry. I smile (or at least I think I'm smiling). And sit back on the couch.
"Izzy, we cannot trust the paparazzi," Ruby says softly and Christian nods.
I nod. "I'm not. I'm not," I say weakly. Who is going to believe me?
"Let's wait for Gabriel to explain, okay? He loves you. He wouldn't do something to make you hurt. Trust me, Izzy," Christian says.
"Of course, of course, I will wait for him," I answer them, but I realise deep in my heart I'm still trying to convince myself.
"The picture means nothing, Izzy. I know that. Okay? Maybe Gabriel was there for a business meeting. The partner thought that the stripper would help them reach their goal with Gabriel. Paparazzi put that headline for the clickbait," Christian continues.
"Yeah, C. Trust me. I know this first hand too." Back to my celebrity life, every small move I made with my guy friend, the paparazzi would interpret as a lover gesture.
Ruby bites her bottom lips. "The Remington PR called me earlier because they found out you are here with me. They couldn't reach you."
"Yeah, I turned off my phone last night. I forgot to bring my charger."
"They... they asked you to say nothing to the paparazzi. Can you do that, Izzy ?" Ruby asks warily.
"Of course. Of course, I wouldn't say anything. Tell them to not worry about me. I wouldn't do anything to hurt The Remington Industries," I say without looking at them. "Now, if you excuse me. I want to take a shower." I walk without waiting for them to answer me.